IXTRODlTCP]D PLANTS AND ANIMALS. 251 



from there the single speeies with tlir(M> well-marked varieties have been dis- 

 tributed all over the wor-ld to he (ieveloi)e(l into moi-e tluiii ;i hnndi-ed cultivjited 

 forms and sub-varieties. Whih- most of llic I'oriiis have been Liixcn iiatncs, 1 hi; 

 practice among' botanists is to regard thejn all as l)eloiigiiiL; to one species. •••'■ A 

 majority of the best known forms may be found growiiig in lloiKtlnlii gardens. 



These l)eai!ti1'ul plants, with their many forms of odd and handsome foliage 

 of the most brilliant coloring, are to l)e seen in [)r()fusion everywhcM-e The colors 

 range from almost pure white to light and deep yellow, orange-pink, i-ed-crimson, 

 and all these joined in the most remarkal)]e combinations. In some cases one 

 color predominates, in others every possible combination is represented. Hut a 

 close study of the form of the leaves will demonstrate that three i)rincipal types 

 exist, namely, those with ovate, short-stalked leaves, those with narrow and 

 spatulate leaves, and those with narrow and often cork-screw twisted leaves. 

 Plant(Yl in clumps and masses the effect produced by the comliination of their 

 rich coloi's is charming. l^lwv are often used to advantage as hediii^s and are 

 made in one way or another to give color to almost every lawn. 



The garden varieties of Coleus are also a legion, and many of them or their 

 near generic relatives thrive in the city and occasionally escape, as cm Hawaii, 

 into the wooded stretches along the roads and lanes. A very deep-red, large- 

 leafed foliage plant of this family is in general favor. It is planted in rows to 

 form hedges about gardens and is wonderfully varigated in foliage. 



Hedge Plants. 



The hedge plant that is most conspicuous and, happily. tli<^ most com- 

 mon in Hawaii is the Hibiscus. Of this splendid shrub about si.x; forms and in- 

 numerable varieties are in general cultivation. Of tlu' common varieties, miles 

 and miles of hedges have been made. These are among the lirst objects to attract 

 the attention of tourists and visitors, and one never tires of the display of blos- 

 soms of all sizes and colors that line the street. There are at least four native 

 species, two or more of which have been cultivated to some extent by Hibiscus 

 enthusiasts. Much has l3een done here and elsewhere along the line of producing 

 new varieties by cross-breeding, so that every color from white, yellow, salmon 

 to deep red, in double and single blossoms, are abtuidant. It is to be hoped that 

 this splendid shrub may become so populai' as to be regularly adopted as tin' 

 "City Flower" of Honolulu. As the hedges of scai'let and |>iiik Hibiscus ai'e ev<'r 

 a delight to the eye a keen rivalry ma>' well develop among househoUlers in the 

 production of rare forms, since new varieties are easily prodn.ced by cross 

 pollenization. 



Ki. 



A plant that is common in the mountains and is often planted in hedges is 

 the ki •'+ plant, the Draciena, or more pi'operly the ("oi-dyliiie of boiainsts. TIkmv 

 are several cultivated varieties, especially one with wine-i-eil leaves that ai-c coin- 



'•'■' Codia'iinis rariri/ntinii . ^* Citnliiliiu' ti>niniintif!. 



